UKIE announces Tim Scott as new head of public affairs

Trade body UKIE have announced the hiring of Tim Scott as their new head of public affairs.

Scott joins UKIE from London First, where he held the role of programmer director for tech and creative industries. Before this, he spent ten years in the civil service, where he was the lead on policy involving creative industries and tech for the Cabinet Office and Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Scott has been described in a press release as "instrumental" in the development and implementation of the Video Games Tax Relief program, which started in 2014. In his new role at UKIE, he’ll be heading up all of the trade body’s public affairs business, with the press release specifically mentioning that this includes "the organisation’s work with decision makers in Parliament to negotiate the best outcomes for the sector when the UK exits the EU, as well as our ongoing campaigns to promote the UK as a world leader in making and selling games and interactive entertainment."

Tim Scott, head of public affairs at Ukie, said, “The interactive entertainment sector is the jewel in the crown of the UK creative economy, encompassing some of the most dynamic, innovative and advanced businesses around. I’m really excited to have the opportunity to work with some of the best and look forward to 2017 being a great year for the UK games industry.”

UKIE’s CEO, Dr Jo Twist, OBE, added: “Tim has a strong track record of running successful campaigns and has long been a champion of the needs of the creative tech industries that Ukie represents. He will be a fantastic asset to the Ukie team and I look forward to working with him during this crucial year for games, and as we continue to secure our position as the best place in the world to make and sell games.”